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The Avalon Sexual Assault Centre is launching a crowd-funding campaign in order to raise money for prevention and critical intervention services for Nova Scotians.
This one-month campaign is in response to both an increase in demands for services and an increase in people wanting to help out at the centre.
“We continue to see an increase in the number of clients coming forward to access our programs and services, as well as requests for education, training and collaboration to address barriers and gaps,” executive director Jackie Stevens writes in a press release. “Responding to this increased demand has been a challenge, especially with our lack of long-term, sustainable funding. We want to do more to help survivors and the community.”
The centre hopes to raise $10,000 dollars by the end of May.
Avalon says it received an influx of demands for services in the wake of the Jian Ghomeshi verdict in March, and following the three-year anniversary of Rehtaeh Parsons’ death.
“At Avalon, we believe survivors and encourage them to seek help. Now, we need help. Donations will directly help those in crisis and limit serious, long-term trauma effects for people who have been victimized,” writes Stevens.
The centre’s call for donations comes on the same day Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative party is introducing two new bills aimed at strengthening the province’s legislation on sexual assault.
The provincial Liberal government is currently rolling out $1.2 million in “Prevention Innovation Grants” to combat sexual violence across the province over the next two years—most recently on Monday announcing $4,000 to be given to Millwood High School for a bystander training course.
The province was also supposed to fund $700,000 for more sexual assault nurse examiners last year, but the money was never spent. The same funding is included in this year’s budget, though there doesn’t appear to be a timeline for when new nurses will be hired.
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This article appears in Apr 21-27, 2016.
I wonder why the Coast still has anonymous comments?
Charlie Brown thinks that because HE doesn’t believe in a high number of sexual assaults that they didn’t occur. This is “tree falliing in the forest without a sound” philosophy at its very worst by which Charlie would deny those who have been sexually assaulted their voice and their rape because he wasn’t witness to it. Well done, sir.
In Charlie’s world the “Avavlon folks” deal with “very few actual cases of sexual assault.” How very priviledged of Charlie to be in possession of the records of all those who need the services of the Avalon Centre and to divulge that information here to the public.
I hereby grant you full permission to refer to me directly Oceanchick!
I deny no one’s rape. Read what I wrote. I am expressing an opinion that differs from yours – simply that. I offered a challenge – on which I would place a large wager (got 10K?) – to their assertion. Isn’t it nice to have one’s own opinion rather than Jim Jones our life?
Charlie Brown by saying you don’t believe that sexual assault happens with the frequency they’re claiming IS denying rape. Why don’t you sit down and listen to the people who are actually dealing with the survivors, they are telling you it is happening and that the victims need help.
“And without achieving their goal will not see the end of their services… it’s a well-funded organization that sees very few actual cases of sexual assault.”
Please cite your source for this.
No luluknits, having a differing opinion is not denying anything but you may have that opinion; I am not insulted that you do. And I refer to their records CRA posts online.
I poked around the charitable organization registry at CRA and they don’t seem to have stats on the number of victims Avalon helped during the 2015 taxation year. Since you’ve invoked CRA as the source of your assertion that Avalon sees “very few cases actual cases of sexual assault”, can you link me to where CRA keeps track of that info?
Interestingly enough, Avalon does keep stats. Some excerpts:
-In 2007, the rate of reported sexual assaults in Nova Scotia was 75 per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 65 per 100,000 people.
– The rate of police-reported sexual assault in HRM in 2007 was 87 per 100,000 people compared to the provincial rate of 75 per 100,000 people
– In 2011, there were 393 sexual offences reported in HRM. Central Halifax had the most reported offences (135) compared with other parts of HRM.
– There is an average of one sexual assault reported every day.
You can find all those and more at http://avaloncentre.ca/resources/statistic…
Looking forward to those CRA stats.
Cheers.
Well now, you must realize that is self-reported; it’s like a resume, often exaggerated. I look at their charitable returns. And their stats are disproportionate to the stats of law enforcement… how is that now? Police lying?
Self-reported? Cool story, bro, but nah. All charities have to keep detailed financial records in order to maintain their charitable status. Although you won’t find that kind of drill-down in the CRA reports, statistics regarding counselling, advocacy, and other victim services are kept in-house in order to substantiate their filings.
As for the disparity between the number of assaults, the number of reports, and the number of charges, you will find a wealth of information at http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/content/lop/Rese… and http://www.sexassault.ca/statistics.htm
Don’t misunderstand me; I’m well aware you aren’t looking for real information. Nonetheless, I’m happy to set the record straight in case the next reader isn’t quite so much of a douchecanoe.